Observe and Report Film Review

1 hr. 26 mins

Starring: Seth Rogen, Anna Faris, Michael Pena, Ray Liotta, Collette Wolfe, Cecilia Watson, Matt and John Yuan

Directed by: Jody Hill

MPAA Rating: R

Rating: ** ½ stars (out of 4 stars)

Raunchy probably isn't the strongest word to describe writer-director Jody Hill's ("The Foot Fist Way") subversively off-balanced and wicked-minded black comedy Observe and Report. Just on the heels of being the second mall cop-oriented flick released this year (Kevin James's fluff-fest "Paul Blart: Mall Cop" was front and center first) Hill's Observe and Report has more twisted gumption and an edgier warped attitude that makes this lunacy of laughter quite palatable for cynical eyes.

On one hand, Observe and Report is typical of effortless filthy-minded farces that love embracing the misguided gesture of pushing the envelope to the limit. Granted that it doesn't take much to convey shock value in mining comical chaos out of constant cussing, male/female nudity, drug usage, spontaneous violence, sexual abuse, etc. Of course this is where Hill's exaggerated naughtiness tip-toes in the ordinary territory of predictable, off-kilter toilet humor. However, Observe and Report also has a refreshing and cocky vibe about its disdaining material that makes this intentionally vacuous vehicle a hysterical hoot-and-a-half. Consequently, rude and crude dark comedies can be joyfully manipulative if given a plausible premise where they can breathe easily the outrageousness that chronically exists and persists.

Seth Rogen ("Pineapple Express") is in fine perverse form as Albuquerque, NM-based head of security mall cop Ronnie Barnhardt. Ronnie is experiencing a professional malaise like most folks that feel they should be doing something more challenging in their lives. In the case of poor Ronnie, he has visions of becoming a true blue legitimate police officer. However, the mall cop gig is one of many things that are flawed about the bipolar Ronnie Barnhardt. His other "issues" consist of living at home with his alcoholic mother (Cecilia Watson, "Junebug", "Flirting With Disaster") and pining after the elusive pretty make-up counter girl Brandi (Anna Faris) who's indifferent to his affections.

Furthermore, Ronnie has to respond to the constant threat of a loose flasher around the mall who's exposing his nakedness to unsuspecting customers. Naturally Ronnie's desired dreamgirl Brandi was one of the early victims subjected to this pervert's misdeeds. The thought of apprehending this overcoat-flashing nutcase is actually a challenge and opportunity for Ronnie to shine and become heroic in the eyes of both Brandi and the local police force that he hopes to impress with his law enforcing fortitude. Unfortunately, Ronnie has an annoying rival standing in his way to instant glory in the name of Detective Harrison (Ray Liotta) who's determined to get the pesky flashing culprit under his jurisdiction.

In his quest to protect the boundaries on the mall, Ronnie has some support from his associates that include droll sidekick Dennis (Michael Pena) and twin mall guards (Matt and John Yuan). Also, Ronnie consults with extremely cute and perky coffee counter gal Nell (Collette Wolfe) from time to time.

It may seem like overkill when assessing a distinctive tongue-wagging film such as Observe and Report because the exposure of this particular genre involving colorful vulgar characterizations and circumstances have routinely bombarded the scene like a crazed bat out of hell. Whatever the sentiment is about Hill's sense of irreverence in Observe-pro or con-one thing is certainly clear...smarmy cinema can be skillful if it can articulate its boldness with revolving forethought of tension-filled tenacity and a robust goose egg of goofiness. Some moviegoers may be put off by the abundance of offensive references (f-bombs, "retard" labels, date rape, etc.) scattered throughout this ribald romp thus dismissing Observe as another blatant bombshell for an unruly and irresponsible funnybone flick. Hey, maybe that observation is warranted and spot-on after all? Still, Hill's lopsided laugher is bizarrely charming and frothy in its impishness of impropriety.

Rogen is quickly becoming the poster boy for unsettling movies that provoke and persist in its wild-oriented nuttiness. The aforementioned Pineapple Express and other Judd Apatow-esque productions that Rogen has cut his teeth on are quite daring and deliciously devilish. As the unhinged Ronnie, Rogen is a conflicted mess and masterfully plays a clumsy character looking for his brand of redemption. We're not sure what to make of mall security schlub-should we be sympathetic toward him or shun his delusional gumdrops of grandeur? The overtones in Observe and Report are not always clear cut within the confines of a witty and wayward vehicle as the sardonic rhythms render Hill's frenetic fable as being fiercely bitter-minded in many respects.

Roguishly appalling but unapologetic in its mindlessness, Observe and Report is a welcomed approach to castrating comedies that want one's uneasiness to be the real source of valued guilty pleasure.